Outcomes Research

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The article by Tanenbaum (Oct. 21 issue)1 criticizing outcomes research troubled me deeply. Her thesis is that outcomes research attempts to replace subjective professional judgment with micromanagement by insurance companies and government. On the contrary, outcomes research can inform decision makers -- including public and private payers, but especially physicians and patients -- and help them make better decisions. Nobody disputes the fact that most therapeutic interventions have never been rigorously evaluated. Not even Tanenbaum would object, I trust, to evaluating these interventions on the basis of a defined end point or outcome. As long as it uses proper scientific and statistical methods, outcomes research adds to available information and should benefit medical practice.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: